Author: Chalian Meline

IN RA PRIME MINISTER’S OPINION, DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPHERE IS CONDITIONED BY SUCCESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Noyan Tapan
April 21, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN. On April 21, RA Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsian introduced reappointed Minister of Environmental Protection
Aram Haroutiunian to the Ministry’s personnel. In Prime Minister’s
opinion, the Minister’s capabilities and organization abilities can
serve for solution of the problems faced by the sphere.

Touching upon environmental protection problems, T. Sargsian did not
consider right the approach that they should be considered secondary
in countries being at the stage of poverty reduction. According to
him, it is much easier to prevent a natural calamity than to struggle
against its consequences later. In that respect T. Sargsian attached
importance to introduction of the best standards in the Armenia’s
environmental protection sphere.

The Prime Minister considered environmental education as the sphere’s
strategic problem. In his words, it is very important that citizens be
bearers of environmental protection culture. "Otherwise we will not
succeed in any sphere. The solution of the rest important problems
set before the Ministry depends on this," T. Sargsian said.

TURKISH PARLIAMENTARY RIGHTS COMMITTEE TO QUESTION MILITARY OFFICERS IN DINK PROBE

NTV MSNBC
April 18 2008
Turkey

Istanbul’s governor announced on Thursday that investigators had been
given permission to question eight police officers involved in the
Dink murder case.

ANKARA – The Turkish parliament’s Human Rights Committee is to call
a number of officers of the country’s paramilitary Gendarme to submit
evidence on investigation into the murder of prominent Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink.

Committee chairman Zafer Uskul said that the officers would be called
to appear before the committee soon.

Dink, the editor of the Turkish-Armenian newspaper Argo and a leading
human rights activist, was gunned down outside the paper’s head office
in Istanbul on January 19 last year.

More than 20 people have been charged in connection with involvement
his killing, including a youth aged 17 at the time of the incident
who is accused of carrying out the shooting. Many of those charged
are from the Black Sea province of Trabzon.

Two senior non-commissioned officers of the Gendarme in Trabzon have
been charged with dereliction of duty over the killing, the men being
accused of not passing on information that there was a plot to murder
Dink. Both have denied the charges, alleging that senior Gendarme
officers suppressed the information after they had passed it on.

Acting on their testimonies, a Trabzon court ordered an investigation
be carried out into 10 other gendarmerie officers, including a colonel.

ALEXANDER ISKANDARJAN: KARABAKH PROBLEM AND CONFLICT SETTLEMENT ARE TWO DIFFERENT PROCESSES

DEFENSE and SECURITY
April 18, 2008 Friday
Russia

CAUCASUS MEDIA INSTITUTE DIRECTOR ALEXANDER ISKANDARJAN ON PROSPECTS
OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH SETTLEMENT; An exclusive interview with Alexander
Iskandarjan, Caucasus Media Institute Director and political scientist.

Question: Will adoption of the UN resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh
suggested by Azerbaijan have any effect on the fact itself of the
talks?

Alexander Iskandarjan: Yes, some effect should be expected indeed but
I do not think that it will be overly radical. The problem of Karabakh
and conflict settlement are two different processes. Sure, they are
meshed to a certain extent but different all the same. They do not have
any direct effect with each other. Karabakh conflict settlement is a
process with its own logic, parameters, and even involved parties –
some of them far from Karabakh itself. It’s an entirely different
process. Existence of the resolution will have some effect of course
but not as a factor facilitating solution to the problem of Karabakh.

Question: Azerbaijan suggests alteration of the form of the OSCE
Minsk Group? Is it expedient?

Alexander Iskandarjan: Both sides in the conflict promote different
interests in connection with the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict. They
even disagree on what should constitute conflict settlement because
Azerbaijan suggests one thing and Armenia another. The conflict
over Karabakh comes down to competition, no wonder Azerbaijan
and Armenia promote absolutely different objectives. I’m not even
talking of the interests of other involved countries and international
organizations. Azerbaijan clearly believes that the OSCE Minsk Group
where all decisions require a consensus answers its interests to a
lesser degree than something else would have done in its place. I
do not want to simplify things, of course, but the impression is
that Azerbaijan is after alteration of the Minsk process and its
structure. Armenia in its turn finds the OSCE Minsk Group quite
convenient to deal with precisely because of its emphasis on consensus.

Question: Is it correct to assume that the mounting tension along
the contact line advances the interests of Armenian and Azerbaijani
elites because it distracts general public in these countries from
domestic problems?

Alexander Iskandarjan: Availability of an enemy nearby is convenient
for mobilization and consolidation of society. Having an enemy nearby
is helpful indeed. This trick is regularly used in politics. On the
other hand, I believe that making an undue emphasis on it will be
wrong. The enemy does exist, you know. No need to invent it. The
enemy does exist in mass consciousness.

Question: Would you say the warring sides are prepared for concessions
at this point?

Alexander Iskandarjan: That Azerbaijan is not ready to offer Armenia
concessions on the scope it expects is clear. And vice versa. The
process of the negotiations between them is 1. a battlefield, and
2. an imitation, something that has little to do with the Karabakh
conflict. As things stand, all external forces involved in the matter
put Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Karabakh under pressure to settle the
legal issue and their in their turn resist the pressure.

Question: Will election of the new president in Armenia introduce
any changes in the matter of Karabakh?

Alexander Iskandarjan: Some infinitesimal changes, probably, but
nothing serious. Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan are shaped
by objective factors and not by personalities.

ARMENIAN PROSECUTOR GENERAL APPLIED TO COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO ASSIST INVESTIGATION OF THE CRIMINAL CASE ON THE FACT OF 1 MARCH MASS DISORDERS IN YEREVAN

arminfo
2008-04-18 14:32:00

ArmInfo. Armenian Prosecutor General Agvan Hovsepyan has applied to
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg to
assist investigation of the criminal case on the fact of 1 March mass
disorders in Yerevan.

As press-service of Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office reports, Agvan
Hovsepyan sent a letter to Thomas Hammarberg on 17 April, in which
he asked involve foreign experts of forensic medical examination and
audio and video materials and assured that all the necessary working
conditions will be provided. At the same time prosecutor general said
there are experts in Armenia which meet international standards.

PACE, DAVID HARUTYUNYAN. "I’M ARMENIAN REPRESENTATIVE"

Panorama.am
21:06 17/04/2008

The speech of David Harutyunyan the National Assembly deputy and the
chairman of the state judicial questions committee presenting the
Republic of Armenia in the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
on the discussion of article "on activities of democratic intuitions
in the RA".

"As an Armenian representative I am standing upon confusions.

>From one side, me as an ordinary citizen of Armenia I feel I must be
confused by the problems of euro integration, democracy and freedom
of information and to be more critical and find appropriate ways to
solve it, and stop staring at world through pink eyeglasses.

>From the other side, as the experience showed as much you are critical
as much your neighbors get use of it and turning the stipulation
activities of the democracy to anti Armenian propaganda.

In this confusive situation I am asking to myself what I am looking
for. And as much I wonder on the current subject as much I see that
my confusion is secondary.

The mission of my country and mine is to make positive reforms and
hiding something is not fair and right.

If we are eager to see the real changes and reforms then we need to
speak about them either in the inner life or in abroad. If we hide
the problems then well start feeling sure that there are no problems
and you’ll seriously believe in it. But this is not the proper way to
reach the goals. Hence, there is no difference you are a politician
or an opposition, you are an ordinary citizen or representative of
an organization, you are in Armenia or in Strasburg, you need lead
your steps towards the reforms and improvements of the public life,
democracy.

Dear colleagues

Very often it is said that the reports are balanced, but believe me
this current one is not just a balanced report it is the mirror of
the view points of those who wish to take measures directed to the
welfare of Armenia.

Only from this side we can help Armenia. I have offered some changes
which are not intended to defend or smooth things. They are intended
to put right diagnose as only right diagnose can help to solve the
problems.

Dear colleagues

Only those who are long to check the mistakes can act as the most
self criticizing. Today we are acting as self criticizing but we
are conscious that it is not sufficient as we need to act. There is
little time before the June session but if there is political will
then even in such short period changes can be made. I am more than
sure the will is felt and everything will be clarified in June.

Thank you for attention."

TURKEY "NOT WORRIED" ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DISCUSSIONS IN KNESSET

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.04.2008 15:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey ‘is not worried’ about the Armenian Genocide
discussions in the Israeli Knesset, said the President of the Center
for Eurasian Strategic Studies.

"Attempts to push such resolutions in the Knesset were repeatedly
made but they all proved vain. Turkey and Israel are partners in
many fields. I don’t think that the Knesset will arrive at a positive
decision on the issue," Farouk Lologlu said, 1news.az reports.

On 26 March, the Knesset decided to bring the Armenian Genocide
issue into discussion in one of parliamentary panels. Zeev Elkin of
Kadima offered to debate in the committee on education and culture
while Joseph Shagal insisted on discussions in committee on external
affairs and defense.

Some Turkish politicians apprehend tensions in the Israeli-Turkish
relations.

CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO 63RD ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE STARTS IN ARTSAKH

Noyan Tapan
April 15, 2008

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 15, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. A conference,
entitled "Western Armenia: the past and the present" dedicated to the
93rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, has started in the State
University of Artsakh.

The event is attended by the representatives of the
Armenological Center of the State University of Artsakh, the State
Historical-Geographical Museum of Artsakh, the Armenian Assembly of
the Western Armenia and the RAA organization studying the Armenian
architecture from Armenia, Syria and France.

The participants mentioned that the objective of the organization of
the event is not only to condemn the genocide but also to introduce
the current state of the Western Armenia.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, April 14, 2008

AGBU Europe’s Astrid Alexanian-Papazian Honored by Austrian Government

On the evening of January 21, 2008, Thomas Nader, Austrian Ambassador to
Egypt, organized a dinner-reception in his Cairo home, which served as
the occasion to bestow upon Austria’s Consul General Astrid
Alexanian-Papazian the "Gold Medal of Honor for Devotion and Services to
the Republic of Austria." Present were high-ranking guests, members of
Alexanian-Papazian’s family and a host of close friends.

Ambassador Nader stated that the Alexanian family has represented
Austria in a fitting manner and emphasized that all the ambassadors and
their colleagues that have worked in Cairo have been greatly impressed
with Astrid Alexanian-Papazian and the work she has done. He concluded
his remarks, saying that having Alexanian-Papazian as Austria’s
representative is an honor and that she is justly deserving of this
medal. On behalf of Austria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ambassadors,
ministers and provincial officials, the ambassador extended the warmest
congratulations and wishes.

In response to the ambassador’s remarks, the lady of honor thanked
everyone for their warm words of appreciation and kind statements.

Alexanian was nominated Honorary Consul of Austria in Alexandria in 1987
and Honorary Consul General in 2004, in charge of Austrian Commercial
and Cultural Affairs. She is currently President of A. Alexanian Group
of Companies in the tobacco industry and is a member of the board and
shareholder of the Egyptian Textile Industries SAE. She has been a
member of AGBU for the past 49 years, is president of the Armenian
Cultural Center Dikran Yergat since 2004 and has been involved in
various Armenian community services. Recently, she was named to the
Board of Directors of AGBU Europe.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an
annual budget of $34 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians on six continents.

STATE OF ARMENIAN ECONOMY WILL NOT IMPROVE WITH FORMATION OF NEW GOVERNMENT, EDUARD AGHAJANOV SAYS

Noyan Tapan
April 11, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The newly elected president of
Armenia Serge Sargsian has received a hard inheritance in terms of
the country’s economy.

Expressing this opinion at the April 11 press conference, economist
Eduard Aghajanov said that despite the economic growth registered in
recent years, some indices have declined. For example, in 2007 the
foreign trade deficit exceeded twofold the 2006 index, reaching a
dangerous level. Besides, 5 years ago exports were exceeded 1.5fold
by imports, whereas now this index makes 3fold. However, the most
worrying fact is that construction has the largest share in Armenian
GDP, while agriculture and industry are in second and third place
respectively. "It means that Armenia is a construction-agricultural
country. There is no such classification in the world. That is,
we have formed an absurd structure of economy," E. Aghajanov said.

In his opinion, an innovation model of economy – which has
formed the developed countries, with knowledge making its basis
– should be created in Armenia in order to overcome the current
situation. E. Aghajanov reminded about the recent statement of the
RA minister of trade and economic development that Armenia should
start selling knowledge. "How can our country sell knowledge when
budgetary allocations for science make only 6.8 bln drams or 0.2%
of GDP?" E. Aghajanov expressed his doubt.

According to him, the upcoming change of the government will not
rectify the situation. "When a bus driver is replaced by another
driver, the bus will continue moving on the same route," the economist
said.

VARDAN OSKANYAN: ARMENIA HAS PROVEN THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH IS POSSIBLE, EVEN WITH THE ABSENCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND OPEN TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS

arminfo
2008-04-11 11:57:00

ArmInfo. ‘Armenia has proven that economic growth is possible,
even with the absence of natural resources and open transportation
corridors’, Vardan Oskanyan says in his Farewell Speech to MFA
Staff. ‘Armenia is living proof that one can be a respected member
of the international community and at the same time swim against the
global tide to assure self-determination and security for Nagorno
Karabakh. Armenia has become a trustworthy and I can say, full partner
in international organizations with a full agenda of reforms, insights
and action items. Armenia has established good relations with all
major world centers – Russia, the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle
East and Latin America. But each of the successes I just mentioned
have brought with it a set of new challenges and new problems. And
that’s our job – to make the best of each opportunity and minimize
all threats,’ Vardan Oskanyan says.